Shape-memory electromechanical drive
US4736587A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 1985 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86879
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A shape-memory electromechanical drive device comprising a casing, a pair of fixed terminal members carried by the casing in electrically insulated relation thereto, an actuating member supported within the casing for movement between two positions from an intermediate position in opposite directions and having a pair of spaced spring seats defined therein, and a pair of coil springs interposed between the fixed terminal members and the spring seats, respectively. Each of the coil springs is made of shape-memory alloy and capable of returning from a compressed state to an original, expanded state when heated to a predetermined temperature. These coil springs are heated by the flow of an electric current therethrough one at a time when the device is in use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.